Electric signal system.



N. H. SUREN.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION men FEB. a. 1915.

Patented Den. 4, 1191?.

mw@mwmm' I I I NATHAN I-I. SUREN, OI" NEEDI-IAM, irnss-eonnsn'r'rs, ASSIGNOR TO GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEVJ YUIBIK, N, Y., A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. a, ilml't,

Application filed February 8, 1915. Serial No. 6,893.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN H. SUREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Needham, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a signaling system designed particularly for use where a multiplicity of code-signals are required,

as in fire-alarms, police-telegraph or similar systems. In the improved signal-system is involved a plurality of signal-controlling elements, such as drums, each element or drum having associated with it a signalmember, such as a signal-wheel arranged to control the circuit of a recorder or other signal-receiving or signal-responding instrument, there being one drum for the units number group, one for the tens number group, one for the hundreds number group, and so on, and said drums are arranged for operation by any one of a plurality of serially arranged signal-boxes; and said boxes and drums have cooperating signal-selecting means, the former determining the selection of the digits of the hundreds number group, tens number group, and units number group, and the latter being responsive thereto, and both operating sequentially, each controlling the sequential operation of the other.

The box has'manual means for setting the signal-determinin g device in position for operation, and for mechanically locking its determining-device in such position, and electro-magnetic means for releasing said determining-device, only when the signal for which the box has been set has been transmitted, so that a box once set will so remain until its signal has been sent, even if it has to wait until a signal has been sent from another box in the circuit. Hence, the boxes are non-interfering and successive. One important object of the invention is to provide a signal system comprising a cooperative combination of signal-transmitting mechanism including signal-controlling drums and signal-wheels associated therewith or the like, with a plurality of signalboxes arranged in series and connected to selectively act on such signal-transmitting mechanism to transmit particular and predetermined digits, such as of hundreds, tons and units number groups, for which the box ay be he connections and. a rang ment being such that though a large number of boxes may be thus arranged in series in the operative circuits to coact with the same signal-transmitting mechanism, there is no possible chance or danger of interference, and each of the several boxes will transmit its own proper signal in a predetermined sequence, should more than one box be set for signaling at once, or one be set while another was operating. In other words, the invention is what may be termed an absolute non-interfering, successive sig naling-system.

In the present instance, for the sake of simplicity, I have shown the system as involving three signal-control drums, and hereinafter referred to as the hundreds, tens, and units drums, and have arranged each'of said drums for the sending of three distinct digit signal-impulses, that is, one, two and three signal-impulses, thus presenting an arrangement involving twenty-seven distinctive possible code signals, it being obvious, of course, that by the use of additional digits, the possible combinations will be greatly increased.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is diagrammatically illustrative of a simple form of the present system, showing, however, two signal-boxes, each adapted for the sending of more than one specific signal.

Fig. 2 is an end view of one of the signalcontrol elements.

In the simplified form of the system illustrated, I utilizethree signal-control elements in the form of drums 1, 2, and 3, for three number groups of a signal, the first being designed for sending signals involving the hundreds digits, and being hereinafter referred to as the hundreds drum, the second being utilized for the sending of the tens digits and being hereinafter referred to as the tens drum, and the third being utilized for the sending of the units digits and being hereinafter referred o as the units drum. These drums are mounted for independent rotation and mechanically driven at a uniform speed, but so far as these particular details are concerned, the structure is unimportant as the present invention contemplates any drum or equivalent associated with any mechanical driving mechanism as may be desired. For the sake of convenience, however, I show the drums 1, 2, and

' dependent rotation therethrough of both shafts 5,-and 6. The respective shafts project at one end as shown and each bears a signal wheel, the shaft e having a wheel 7, the shaft 5 having a wheel 8 and the shaft 6 having a wheel 9. In the particular form of the invention illustrated, the control drums are each arranged for three digits, and their respective signal wheels are correspondingly arranged, and the signal controlling means at the different boxes are variously arranged for sending different numbers, involving units, tens, and hundreds, each including three digits or less.

Each drum is provided with a controlmagnet, as magnet 10 for drum 1, magnet 11 for drum 2, and magnet 12 for drum The respective magnets have armaturelevers 13, terminally provided with. spaced relatively off-set limiting rojections 14 and 15, the former adapted to cooperate with teeth 16 of a ratchet-Wheel 17 secured to the drum, which teeth correspond in number and'position with the stopping-places of the drum and the latter adapted to codperate with stop-lugs 18, arranged on a side of the ratchet-wheel so as to restrain the drum against rotative movement, the respective projections 14 and 15 coiiperating in reverse positions of the armature, the former when the armature is attracted and the latter when the armature is retracted, and inliuenced by a spring 19.

Drum 1 has three signal-line contact-fingers 20, 21 and 22, and a similar contactfinger 23 in connection through a conductor 9.14:, with the electro-magnet 10. Secured. upon the armature-lever 13 of the electromagnet 10 are contact-fingers 25 and 26. Arranged upon the surface of the drum 1 are contact-plates 27 and 28, the former including a longitudinal section 29 normally engaged by all. of the fingers 20, 21, 22, and 23 and step-up contact-sections 30, 31, 32, in line with the respective fingers 20, 21, and 22, and a continuous section 33 in line with the finger 23. The eontact plate- 28 has a rectangular form and is designed to electrically connect the fingers 25 and 26, when engaging with said plate throughout a predetermined rotation of the drum. The plates 27 and 28 are or may be arranged in diametrically opposed pairs on drum 1.

Drum 2 is provided with si'gnal-linccontact-fingers 34, 35, and 36, a resistance eontact-finger 37, a magnet contact-finger 38,

and a current contact-finger 39; On the armature-lever 13 of electrdmagnet 11 are arranged spring contact-fingers 4:0 and 4 1. the electro-inagnet contact-linger 38 being in connection wil h the electro-magnel' ll through a conductor d2. rrrranged upon the drum 2 are contact-plates d3, 1%., disposed in longitudinal alinemenl', the plate l3 being normally engaged by (:ontact-fiir gers 34, 35, 36, and 37, and the plate ll being normally engaged by the contact-fingers 38, and 39.

A step-up contact plate 4.5 is arranged above the plates described, in the normal position of the drum and has step-up contact sections as, 1-7, and %8 for the respective fingers 3%. 35, and 36, and a full length seetion 19 for magnet linger 38. A contact plate is arranged on the drum 2 to electrically conne the contact-lingers l0 and i1 when the arnialure is in allracl'ed position and the drum rotating.

Drum 3 is a duplication ol drum 2 having signal-line contactfingers 51, 52 and 53, a resistance contact-finger 54, a contact-plate 55 on the drum cooperating with all of said fingers; a magnet contact-linger 56, a current contact-linger 57, both normally engaging the contact-plate 58 on the drum, step-up contact-plate 59 on the drum ha ring step-up sect-ions 60, 61, and 62, and a full length section 63 for the respective fingers 51, 52, 53, and 56, there being also armature carried spring contact-fingers 64 and 65 to be electrically connected by a contact-plate 66 on the drum under certain conditions of opera tion, as in the drum 2. The coniia It-linger 56 is connected to the eleci'zro-inagnet 12, through conductor 67 The opposing sides of the respective electro-inagnets 10, 11, and 12 are connected to battery wire 68 leading from source of energy 69. i

This source of energy 69 is also in a circuit which includes the conductor 70 with normally closed switches 71, 72 and 73, 0 operating with the signal-wheels 7, 8, and 9, the conductor 7st leading from the switches through the spring-arm 75 and switcher rm S0 and conductor which leads to one side of the battery. The opposing side of the battery leads through conductor 81 to ihe movable member 82 of a switch. the fixed n'icn'ibcr 83 of which leads through conductor 8 t to the armature carried spring lingers and 4.0 of the hundreds and tens drums respectively, the similar finger 61 of the unit-d um being connected to the battery line 68. A timingdevice, of any usual or preferred construcion is arranged for release through the energization of electro-magnet 85 to operate a sector 86 having an arm 87, 11 nd the respective switches just described are sncces- 1 sively controlled by said arm, as and for the purposes to be hereinafter stated. The electro-magnet 85 is in circuit with the battery, and through a conductor 88 is connected wit conductor 84, a conductor 89 leading from the electro-magnet 85 to the springfinger 65 of the armature-lever of electromagnet 12. A register 90 of any desired or appropriate form is in circuit with the signal switch conductor 74 this circuit through a conductor 91 leading to the side of the battery opposite the eleotro-magnets 10, 11, and. 12, so that the register is in efiiect in series circuit with the signal-switches 71, 72 and 73.

As previously stated, the spring-fingers 20, 21 and 22; 34, 35 and 36; and 51, 52 and 53, are the signal-line control-fingers, and from each of these, in the order named, extend independent conducto-rs 92, 93 and 94; 95, 96 and 97; 98, 99 and 100. Each of the said conductors, which will be hereinafter termed line wires include in circuit a high resistance magnet as 101, the magnets of all line wires being connected at one side with the common conductor 102 connected to conductor 84. The resistance of the electro-magnets 101 is such that through their use the continuity of circuits may be readily proven. by the passage of a weak current suflicient to operate through said magnets 101 to attract their armatures for annunciator notification of any form, the current being too weak however to aliect the magnets 10, 11, or 12.

For the present illustration of my improved system, I have shown two boxes, 103, and 104 the former arranged for sending two different signals and the latter arranged for sending three different signals, though it is obvious that the boxes can be arranged for sending one or several different signals each. Each box contains three electro-magnets 105, 106, and 107, the electro-magnets of which control switches or contact closures 108, 109, 110. The contact closure 110 is also cooperatively controlled by a hand lever 111 which is adapted to press it closed by engaging with aninolined hump 111 on the back thereof. When thus closed, the contacts 110 are held closed by a spring drawn beak 112 formed on the shorter arm of a bell crank lever 1.12 whose other arm extends up in position to be engaged by the armature lever 106 of electro-magnet 106. This arm of lever 112 is equipped with a suitable inclined projection 112 mounted to yield as the lever 106 is drawn downward and to present an operative inclined surface as said lever is retracted to cause the lever 112 to be swung lifting the beak 112 to release the contacts 110 and thus permit opening thereof upon retraction of the armature of magnet 106. Box 103 is, as illustrated, arranged for sending signals 123 and 323, while box 104 is arranged for sending signals 112, 212, and 312, from which it will be noted that the change of signals is through the hundreds digit and hence the control is through the hundreds digit wires, though from the following description, it is entirely obvious that ,dreds drum leading to the fingers 20, 21, and

the boxes may be wired so that the lever 111 will change the tens or units digit wires if different signals are required.

The electro-magnets of all boxes are con nected on one side to the battery Wire through conductor 113, the other side of magnet 105 being connected to contact closure 110, the opposing ide of which is connected to the lever 111; the opposing side of electro-magnet 106 is connected to spring contact closure 109, while the opposing side of electro-magnet 107 is connected to one side of spring contact closure 108. The spring contact closures are normally open, and in the instance shown, the other side of the contact closure 108 is connected by line wire 96 to the spring finger 35 of the tens drum, that is the finger cooperating with the intermediate step-up contact strip section 47 while the other side of spring contact closure 109 is connected by line wire 100 to spring finger 53 of the units drum. In box 104 the similar connections of the corresponding electroanagnets are obvious, the opposing sides of the respective spring con tact closures being in this instance, however, differently connected as units and tens digits of this box are different from that of box 103, for example, the opposite side of spring contact- 109 is connected to the line wire 99 leading to the units contact finger 52 while the opposing side of contact-closure 108 of this box is connected to the tens line wire 95 leading to the spring-finger 34 of the tens drum. As previously described, the boxes are arranged for changing signals through the control of hundreds wires, and for this purpose there is arranged in box 103 two contact points 114,115, respectively connected to the line wires 92 and 94 leading to the spring contact lingers 20, 22 of the hundreds drum, while in box 104 there are three such fixed points, 116, 117, 118 respectively connected to the line wires 92, 93, and 94, of the hun- 110 22, as shown. For setting the respective boxes so as to transmit a desired signal, the lever 111 in the case of box 103is tur ed so as to engage either the contact point 114 or 115 as the case may be, the hump 111 be- 115 ing formed so as to determine the throw of the lever for engaging either of these points. When the lever 111 engages point 114 or 115 as the case may be, the circuit is completed through either the one or the three digits of the hundreds circuits, there being for this purpose a conductor 111 from one side of the contacts 110, and the lever 111 itself presenting a conductor portion. In the same way the lever 211 of box 104 is adapted to connect either the one, two or three digits of the hundreds circuits for operation, according as to whether said lever is positioned to engage contact 116, 117, or 118, respectively. The hump 21.1 on the lee back-of'a contact member 210 is in this case a double one soasto determine the position of the lever at any one of itsthree operativev points. The switch points 82, 83 are normally closed,-so that the current lines are as follows. The current from the battery after passing through said switch of the time device is connected toone side of each of the electro-magnets 101 and through each of said electro-magnets to one of the line wires, the line wires in turn being connected to the spring contact fingers. In the hundreds drum the current passes through the three line wires, through the spring fingers on the drum, to and through the spring finger 23, conductor 24, to electroanagnets 10 and back to battery, while the armature of the electro-magnets 101 will respond to the current the electro-magnet 10 willnot. Therefore, the electromagnets 101, which, as previously stated, areannunciator magnets and are designed to indicate any desired form of .annunciator signal will operate to indicatethe'continuity of the line and also indicate, through such ordinary annunciator device a line number if desired and maintain such number during the continuity of the current through the electro-magnets 101, darkening said number as soon as the current is cut off from electro-magnets 101. The current course for the tens and units drums and wires can be similarly traced.

To illustrate the absolute non-interference, successive operation of the system, it maybe assumed thatit is desired to send signal 323 from=box 103 and that at the same time box 104 has been pulled to send signal 312; To send the signal 323 with the boxes wired as shown, the lever 111 of box 103 is moved to close thecontact-closure 110 and bi-ing it in circuit with the three digit of the hundreds wires, the closure being locked by the engagement of the lever 112. To send signal-312 from box 104:, lever 211 is moved to engage point 118 connecting contacts 210 with the three digit of the hundreds wires as it closes them. By this action the electromagnets 105 of both boxes are put in circuit with the three digit of the hundreds wires. The current from the battery passes through these magnets, through the contact-closures 110, levers 111 and 211, points 115 and 118, on which the levers have been set to send the signals referred to, to the conductor 94 leading to spring contact finger 22 through strip 29, spring finger 23, conductor 24, electromagnet 10 to the battery. The electro-mag nets 105 are thus energized and the armatures thereof being attracted, the armature levers thereof act on inclined portions of a movable member of contacts 108 to close them. Thisimmediately energizes electromagnets 107 of both boxes through the circuits of the common side of thebattery, the electric-magnets,- contact closures 108, spring finger35 on one side, that is for box 103, and springfinger 34 on the other side, that is for box 104', but owing to the resistance in the circuit of the battery wire 68 with the spring finger 37 of the tens drum and 54 of the units drum, these resistances being independent as at 119, 120, the current cannot get back to the other side of the battery, hence these magnets 107 cannot become operatively energized as they are only in circuit through said resistances. The attraction of armature 13 by magnet 10 releases the hundreds drum through separation of the holding projections 15 and 18 and said drumrevolves, continuing movement as finger 22'rides off the section 29 of contact plate 27, whereupon magnet 10 becomes deenergized. As finger 20 is connected to line wire 92 and this circuit is not closed in either box the armature 13 will not engage the first tooth 16 of the drum 1 so that it is permitted to continue its revolution. Furthermore, as the fingers 25 and 26 are not in contact with the plate 28 the other electro-magnets 11 and 12 cannot be energized and hence the operation of the tens and units drums is prevented. At this present time the electro magnets 105 in the boxes become dee'nergizcd owing to the opening of the line wire circuit so that no operating current can pass to any one of the line wires of the tens drum while the hundreds drum is revolving. When the hundreds drum has moved a sufiicient distance to cause finger 21 to engage the section 31 of the contact plate 27, there is contact made, but in the absence of current on conductor 93 there is no subsequent energization of electro-magnet 10. The hundreds drum continues revolving until the section 32 is engaged by spring finger 22 whereupon immediately the armatures of all magnets concerned are attracted, and said drum 1 is stopped by the engagement of the projection on its armature lever with the tooth of the drum, and the magnets 105 are retinergized to close spring contact closures 108. This reenergizes electro-magnets 107 of the boxes and at the same time the electromagnet 11 of the tens drum is energized from the battery; wire through fingers 25, 26 to finger 39, finger 38, to magnet 11 to battery, which immediately releases the tens drum 2. Through the step-up contact one line at a time is placed in connection with the drum magnet and hence as previously described, wires leading from fingers 34: and 35 are so far as possible in circuit. The engagement of thevfinger 34 with the section e16 of the plate e15'stops the drum 2 on its one digit, 2'. 6., on ten, opening or breaking finger and deenergizing the electro-magnet 107 to open spring closure 109 and prevent current from passing through electro-magnet 106 of box 103. The electro-magnet 107 of box 104 remains energized, closing spring closure inasgaa 109 and putting electro-magnet 106 in circuit. Spring fingers 10 and 41 are in circuit so that current passes to finger 57 of the units drum, thence to finger 56, thence to electro-magnet 12 and to battery, starting drum 3 revolving, and when spring finger 52 engages the section 61 of the drum plate, the drum magnet will be energized and the drum stopped at this point, i. e., on its two digit. By this time the signal wheels 7 8 and 9 revolving in unison with their drums and each having a corresponding number of breaks as previously described, the wheel 7 operated by drum 1 will have broken the circuit three times to indicate on the register three marks or the like. The signal wheel 8 controlled by the drum 2 will have operated through one break making one mark indicating a tens digit while the signal wheel 9 controlled by the unit drum 3 will have made two breaks indicating two marks or two for the units digit. The signal 312 has thus been indicated.

As drum 3 reaches the active wire box, that is with finger 52 on section 61 of the plate of said drum, the bridging of fingers 64L and 65 by plate 66 of the drum energizes electro-magnet 85 of the time device, releasing the same so that the arm 87 of the creeper closes the switch 7 5, 80, thus bridging the signal wheels and then opening the switch 82, 83, to break the battery circuit. This cuts out all the active magnets except that of the register 90. The electro-magnet 106 of box 104: was active and as its current is cut off its armature retracts and operates the lever 112 to permit opening of spring closure 210 of such box, whereby the box becomes normal, but as the electro-magnet 1060f box 103 was not energized the spring closure 110 of that box remains closed. All three drums being released by the retraction of their armatures, travel to their zero or normal points or until the projection 15 engages the remaining stop 18. The situation thus becomes normal but box 103 still retains its closed contact 110 so that this box immediately assumes control and sends its signal, the course of current for which can be obviously traced in accordance with the above description. It will be understood that this signal from box 103 will be transmitted on the completion of the'signal from box 10 1, and with just as much certainty and reliability as though the box 104 had not previously operated and held the signal of box 103 in abeyance. In the same way any desired number of boxes may be arranged in series in the circuits as described, and it any plurality of such boxes are pulled or set for operation at the same time each will transmit its proper signal intact in selective successive order, in accordance with the principles and manner ofoperation just explained.

It will, of course, be understood that the annunciato-r electro-magnets are energized and deenergized in accordance with the signal-line circuits and hence these electromagnets indicate their numbers in accordance with the energization of the linecircuits, or in other words, in the signal previously described the magnet 101 of conductor 9a was active as such linewire became energized, magnet 101 of conductor 95 was active as such line-wire became energized, while the magnet 101 of conductor 99 was active when such line-wire became energized, so that on the combination of the signal the annunciator elements indicated the numbers 300, 10 and 2.

I claim 1. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wieels, one for each number group of a code-signal, circuit-controllers coacting therewith, signal boxes, and a signalrecorder, a plurality of rotatable drums bearing said wheels, a starting and stopping magnet for each drum, a plurality of signalwires connecting the drums with the boxes, a signal-determining device at each box for selectively connecting the signalwires with the circuit, circuit-controlling means asso ciated with each drum and the signal-wires for controlling its own magnet to start and stop the drum, and other circuit-controlling means associated with each drum for serially controlling the magnets ot the other drums to start the drums.

2. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wheels, one for each number group of a code-signal, circuit-controllers; coacting therewith, signal boxes, and a signal-recorder, a plurality of rotatable drums bearing said wheels, a starting and stopping magnet for each drum, a plurality of signal-wires connecting the drums with the boxes, a signal-determining device at each box for selectively connecting the signalwires with the circuit, circuit-controlling means associated with each drum and the signal wires, for initially controlling its own magnet to start the drum and for subsequently controlling its own magnet to stop the drum and other circuit-controlling means associated with each drum for serially controlling the magnets of the other drums to start the drums.

3. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wheels, one for each number group of a code-signal, circuit-controllers coacting therewith, signal boxes, and a signal-recorder, a plurality of rotatable drums bearing said wheels, a starting and stopping magnet for each drum, a plurality of signalwires connecting the drums with the boxes, a signal-determining device at each box for selectively connecting the signal-wires with the circuit circuit-controlling means associated with each drum and the signal-wires for controlling its own magnet to start and stop the drum, and other circuit-controlling means associated with each drum for serially controlling the magnets of the other drums to start the drums, a timed circuitcontrolling means controlled by the magnet stopping-1neans in the last drum of the series for opening the circuit to permit the parts to resume their normal positions.

4. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wheels, one for each number group of a code-signal, circuit-controllers coactirig therewith, signal boxes, and a signal-recorder, a plurality of rotatable drums bearing said wheels, a starting and stopping magnet for each drum, a plurality of signal-wires connecting the drums with the boxes, a signal-determining device at each box for selectively connecting the signal-wires with the circuit, circuit-controlling means associated with each drum and the signal-wires for controlling its own magnet to start and stop the drum, and other'circuit-controlling means associated with each drum for serially controlling the magnets of the other drums to start the drums, and looking-means for the signal-determining means of each box adapted to be operated by a component part of the signal-determining means to lock said means in said position and to be subsequently operated to release the same, when the signal has been sent.

5. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wires interconnecting a box and a distant station, signal-controlling means at the distant station, signal-determining means for selectively and serially connecting said signal-wires with the circuit, including operating magnets and switches adapted for automatic successive opera-tionv 6. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wires interconnecting a box and a distant station, signal-controlling means at the distant station, signal-determining means for selectively and serially connecting said signal-wires with the circuit, including operating magnets and switches adapted for automatic successive operation, and locking-means for the signaldetermining means to lock said means upon manual operation thereof and controlled by one of said operating magnets to automatically release said means when a signal has been sent.

7. A signal system comprising a plurality of signal-wheels, one for each number group of a code-signal, circuit-controllers coaeting therewith, signal boxes, and a. signal-recorder, a pluralityof rotatable drums bearing said wheels, a starting and stopping magnet for each drum, a plurality of signal-wires connecting the drums with the boxes, having high resistance magnets, a

signal-determining device at each box for selectively connecting the signal-wires with the circuit, and short-circuiting said high resistance magnets, circuit-controlling means associated with each drum and the signalwires for controlling its own magnet to start and stop the drum, and other circuit-com trolling means associated with each drum for serially controlling the magnets of the other drums to start the drums.

8. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of signal-controls, a plurality of signal wires for each control, means for independently governing the movement of each control, a main energizing circuit having one side connected to each of said means, connections for normally providing a circuit between the signal wires of one control and its governing means, manually operable means for connecting one of the signal wires of such last named control in circuit with the main circuit to actuate the governing means to permit movement of the control, and a series of spaced contacts on the control for the respective signal wires, whereby through engagement of an energized signal wire with its particular connection the governing means of that control will be operater to stop the movement of the control.

9. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of signahcontrols, a plurality of signal wires for each control, means for independently governing the movement of each control, a main energizing circuit having one side connected to each of said means, connections for normally providing a circuit between the signal wires of one control and its governing means, manually operable means for connecting one of the signal wires of such last named control in circuit with the main circuit to actuate the governing means to permit movement of the Control, and a series of spaced contacts on the control for the respective signal wires, and means carried by each control for cutting in the governing means of another control upon the cessation in operative position of the first mentioned control.

10. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of drums arranged for independent movement, a plurality ot signalnvires for each drum, electro-magnetic means for governing the movement or each drum, an energizing circuit having one side in connection with said electro-magnctic means. means for selectively coupling one of the signal wires to the other side of the main circuit, a contact strip carried by each drum to electrically connect all of said signal wires of that drum, a contact bearing upon said strip and in circuit with the control oi that drum, step-up contact strips for the respective signal wires, and means ope 'ative through the electro-magnetic means for cut ting in the similar means of succeeding drums, succeeding the predetermined operative movement of the initial drum.

11. A signal-system, comprising a series of signal-controlling drums mounted for independent rotative movement, electro-magnetic means for governing the movement of each of said drums, a series of signal Wires for each drum being normally in electrical connection, an energizing circuit having one side connected to the electro-magnetic means of each drum, means for selectively coupling certain of the signal wires to the other side of said circuit, and means for cir-- cuiting its electro-magnetic means at a predetermined point in the movement of the drum.

12. A signal-system, comprising a series of signal-controlling drums mounted for independent rotative movement electro-magnetic means for governing the movement of each of said drums, a series of signal wires for each drum being normally in electrical connection, an energizing circuit having one side connected to the electro-magnetic means of each drum, means for selectively coupling certain of the signal Wires to the other side of said circuit, and means for circuiting its electro-magnetic means at a predetermined point in the movement of the drum, the electro-magnetic means of one drum operating to circuit the electromagnetic means of a succeeding drum when the first mentioned drum is at rest in signal sending position.

13. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of independent drums, electro-magnetic means for controlling the movement of the drums, an operating circuit, said electromagnetic means being connected to one side of said circuit, a plurality of signal wires for each drum, the signal wires of all of said drums being normally in electrical continuity, means for selecting certain of said signal wires for connection with the other side of the operating circuit, a circuit communication between the signal wires oi one drum and the electro-magnetic controlling means thereof, a successive contact for the signal Wires of each drum, the engagement of the energized signal wire and said con tact serving to stop the drum through the electromagnetic means, and connections operated by said electro-magnetic means oi the actuated drum to energize the electromagnetic means of the succeeding drum 14-. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of independent drums, electro-magnetic means for controlling the movement of the drums, an operating circuit, said electromagnetic means being connected to one side of said circuit, a plurality of signal wires for each drum, the signal wires of all of said drums being normally in electrical continuity, means for selecting certain of said signal. wires for connection with the other side of the operating circuit, a circuit communi' cation between the signal Wires of one drumand the electro-n'iagnetic controlling means thereof,a successive contact for the signal Wires of each drum, the engagement of the energized signal wire and said contact serving to stop the drum through the electro-- magnetic means, and a timed circuit-con trolling device controlled by the final drum of the series to open the circuit and permit the parts to return to normal.

15. A. signal-system, comprising a plurality of independent drums, electro-magnetic means for controlling the movement of the drums,' an operating circuit, said electromagnetic means being connected to one side of said circuit, a plurality of signal wires for each drum the signal wires of all of said drums being normally in electrical continuity, means for selecting certain of said signal wires for connection with the other side of the operating circuit, a circuit communication between the signal wires of one drum and the electro-magnetic controlling means thereof, a successive contact for the signal wires of each drum, the engagement of the energized signal wire and said contact serving to stop the drum through the electromagnetic means, a resistance element between the operating circuit and the signal circuits of certain of the drums, said resistance element being cut out in the initial movement of said drums.

16. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of independent drums, a controlling cir cuit, an electro-magnet for each drum connected to one side of the circuit, contacts operated by said electro-magnets, a plate on each drum adapted after a predetermined movement of the drum to cooperate with and bridge said contacts in the energized condition of the electro-magnets, signal wires for each drum, said signal wires being in electrical connection when the drum is at normal position, means for selectively placing said signal wires in electrical continuity with the other side of the operating circuit and contacts completing the circuit of the electro-magnets for each drum, said contacts in one drum being energized through the position of the drum with respect to a selected signal wire, the said contacts of the remaining drums being energized through the position of a preceding drum.

17. A signal-system, comprising a plurality of drums, independent operating means for each drum, an electro-magnet controlling the initial movement and stopping of each drum, an operating circuit having one side leading through said electro-magnets, a series of signal wires for each drum, an electro-magnet conductor leading to each drum, means for selectively connecting the signal wires to the other side of the operating circuit, a contact on one of the drums to electrically connect the signal Wires and electro-magnetic conductor, normally spaced contacts carried by the electro-magnets of said drum to be bridged when the drum is in operative position, a connection from said contactsto the electro-magnetic conductor of the succeeding drum a successive step-up contact plate carried by each drum, and a continuous contact strip for-the electro-magnetic conductor of said drum, whereby the electro-magnetof a particulardrum is energized when the selected signal Wire zengages the step-up contact section.

18. A signal-system, comprising signalcontrolling mechanism composed of a plurality of separate operative portions, each arranged to transmit a number-group ofa code-signal, said portions being arranged other, and means associated with each signal-boX for locking it with its signal set and adapted to be subsequently released.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NATHAN H. SUREN.

Witnesses C. C. Bissnr'r, E. V. LANE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 'Washington, D. 0. 

